In recent months, city inspectors have cited many businesses for failing to obtain sign permits or for erecting signs that violate city code. In recent weeks, city police have begun issuing warnings - soon to be followed by tickets - to those violating parking time limits in Royal Palm Plaza.

The two efforts have prompted a flood of complaints to city officials, agency Director Joyce Costomiris told board members. Disgruntled businessmen argue that meeting the sign code is expensive and time-consuming and that enforcing parking limits drives off customers.

The sign ordinance in particular ``has become quite an issue,`` Costomiris said.

Board members agreed, however, that a failure to pursue the enforcement campaigns would undermine its own efforts promote downtown economic development.

The sign ordinance, intended to discourage advertising in favor of simple identification, will help maintain the pleasant appearance that in turn contributes to a healthy economy, board member Glenn Murray said.

``The public has a heck of a time accepting that,`` Murray said. ``But our sign code and the enforcement of it are critical to our work. I think we have to carry this through.``

The board informally decided to inform businessmen, through organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Association, that it endorses strict enforcement of the ordinance.

Board member Clem Winke pointed out that the agency`s own review procedures sometimes prolong the approval process. Four members of the seven-member review committee must vote to approve a sign, even if less than seven members are present, he said.

``You can`t get four family members to agree on what programs to watch on TV tonight,`` Winke said. He suggested the review committee revise its rules so that signs could be approved by a majority of members present.

The city began enforcing parking time limits after some Royal Palm Plaza merchants complained that spaces in front of their shops were clogged by employees of other businesses, Costomiris said. The crackdown drew complaints from merchants who want their employees to be able to park near the workplace.

Costomiris suggested the board survey plaza merchants to find out what the majority want to do. But board members instructed her to inform city officials that they support a two-hour parking limit on streets near the plaza.

They jokingly referred to the policy as the ``John Gilroy two-hour parking plan.`` Gilroy, who frequently attends agency meetings and was in the audience Wednesday, once had argued that a proposed one-hour limit was too restrictive.